Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative

Lakeville - A Natural Resource Management Activity

Overview

Lakeville is a multi-disciplinary unit about ecosystems, natural resource management (i.e., invasive species), and civic responsibility. The activities can be presented in sequence for flow and reinforcement of subject matter or as stand-alone sessions. Each session is designed to encourage critical thinking while enhancing students’ environmental knowledge. Sessions 1 and 2 provide students with background information (if needed) and Session 3 brings it all together in a fun game-show style activity that gives students a chance to use their persuasive debate skills and make management decisions about a local freshwater habitat. The goal is to prepare students for their role as future citizens and environmental stewards.

Unit Overview
Introductory Materials
- Powerpoint
- PDF
Icebreaker Activity Guide

Common Core Standards
Science Big Ideas:
- The Practice of Science
- Science and Society
- Earth Structures
- Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms
- Interdependence
- Matter and Energy Transformations
Reading/Language Arts Strands/Standards:
- Vocabulary Development
- Reading Comprehension
- Literary Analysis – Non-Fiction
- Communication – Listening and Speaking
Social Studies Strands:
- American History
- Geography
- Civics and Government

Select Level

Elementary School Level

Session 1: Silent Invaders of Florida's Freshwater Ecosystem
Introduction

This session begins with a humorous 25-minute video (Silent Invaders) about basic classification concepts related to Florida plant life (aquatic vs. terrestrial plants; emersed, submersed, floating, and floating-leaved; native, non-native and invasive). Students become familiar with these terms along with impacts that some non-native invasive plant species are having on our freshwater habitats, natural areas, and neighborhoods. Seven Science Big Ideas are covered (see textbox). Guiding Questions, keyword vocabulary and definitions, and reading activities are provided along with positive actions we can take to help prevent the spread of invasive plant species.
- Teacher Guide: Lakeville Session 1
Objectives
- Identify differences between aquatic and terrestrial plants
- Define the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants
- Identify the ecological and economic impacts of invasive species
- Identify positive actions that can be taken to minimize impacts
Lessons & Activities

View On YouTube
National Version of Silent Invaders on YouTube
- Silent Invaders Video
- Reading Activities and Answer Keys
  - Emersed Plants | Answer Key
  - Floating Leaved Plants | Answer Key
  - Free-floating Plants | Answer Key
  - Invasive Plants | Answer Key
  - Native Plants | Answer Key
  - Non-Native Plants | Answer Key
  - Submersed Plants | Answer Key
- Understanding Invasive Aquatic Plants: Activity Book | Answer Key

Session 2: Components of an Ecosystem
Introduction

Students are introduced to various components of a Florida freshwater ecosystem/food web (e.g., plants, animals AND humans). Through role-playing activities, everyone is given an opportunity to personally identify with at least six inhabitants of the ecosystem (3 critters and 3 citizens) and contemplate their complex relationships. Classification concepts are further reinforced when students are asked to classify themselves within the habitat (e.g., aquatic, terrestrial, native, non-native, invasive) and identify positive and negative attributes
- Teacher Guide, Lakeville Session 2
- Keyword Chart and Definitions
Objectives
- Identify different components of a Florida ecosystem
- Identify and express different points-of-view of various stake-holders living in an ecosystem
- Identify at least three native, non-native or invasive plants that live in Florida ecosystems
- Describe one conflict that may be found among inhabitants of a Florida ecosystems
Materials
- Citizen Roles
- Organism Roles
  - All Cards – 1 per page | All Cards – 3 per page
  - Organism Analysis Worksheet

Session 3: Lakeville ~ The Game
Introduction

This game show-style activity provides students an opportunity to analyze and apply their knowledge about Florida’s freshwater ecosystems. Empowered with their own knowledge (or from information learned in Session 1 & 2), individual students (or teams) debate and/or advocate their right to exist as a "critter" in a fictitious freshwater habitat while six of their peers are given the responsibility to make decisions and vote for their preferred management plan, as members of a local advisory panel.

Watch on YouTube
Objectives
- Describe the importance of native plants and animals inhabiting a Florida ecosystem
- Identify a social and/or economic concern related to a Florida ecosystem
- Explain how political, economic or social concerns may affect environmental community decisions
- Identify what we can do to be responsible environmental citizens
Essential Materials
- Citizen Role Cards
  - Single | 4 Per Page
- Organism Role Cards
  - Single | 3 Per Page
- Organism Icons to be used in habitat scene
  - Single | 6 Per Page
- Scorecard Set
- Data Score Sheet
- Citizen Role and Organism Role Analysis Worksheets
- Freshwater Habitat Scene: Color PDF | B/W PDF
Supplemental Materials
- Wheel of Focus | Individual Wedges (PDF)
- Management Songs
  - Song 1
  - Song 2
  - Song 3
  - Song 4
  - Song 5
- Blank Organism Card
- Organism Role Card Deck

Middle School Level

Session 1: Silent Invaders of Florida’s Freshwater Ecosystems
Introduction

This session begins with a humorous 25-minute video (Silent Invaders) about basic classification concepts related to Florida plant life (aquatic vs. terrestrial plants; emersed, submersed, floating, and floating-leaved; native, non-native and invasive). Students become familiar with these terms along with impacts that some non-native invasive plant species are having on our freshwater habitats, natural areas, and neighborhoods. Seven Science Big Ideas are covered (see textbox). Guiding Questions, keyword vocabulary and definitions, and reading activities are provided along with positive actions we can take to help prevent the spread of invasive plant species.
- Teacher Guide: Lakeville Session 1
Objectives
- Identify differences between aquatic and terrestrial plants
- Define the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants
- Identify the ecological and economic impacts of invasive species
- Identify positive actions that can be taken to minimize impacts
Lessons & Activities

View On YouTube
National Version of Silent Invaders on YouTube
- Silent Invaders Video
- Reading Activities and Answer Keys
- Understanding Invasive Aquatic Plants: Activity Book | Answer Key

Session 2: Components of an Ecosystem
Introduction

Students are introduced to various components of a Florida freshwater ecosystem/food web (e.g., plants, animals AND humans). Through role-playing activities, everyone is given an opportunity to personally identify with at least six inhabitants of the ecosystem (3 critters and 3 citizens) and contemplate their complex relationships. Classification concepts are further reinforced when students are asked to classify themselves within the habitat (e.g., aquatic, terrestrial, native, non-native, invasive) and identify positive and negative attributes
- Teacher Guide, Lakeville Session 2
- Keyword Chart and Definitions
Objectives
- Identify different components of a Florida ecosystem
- Identify and express different points-of-view of various stake-holders living in an ecosystem
- Identify at least three native, non-native or invasive plants that live in Florida ecosystems
- Describe one conflict that may be found among inhabitants of a Florida ecosystems
Materials
- Citizen Roles
- Organism Roles
  - All Cards – 1 per page | All Cards – 3 per page
  - Organism Analysis Worksheet

Session 3: Lakeville ~ The Game
Introduction

This game show-style activity provides students an opportunity to analyze and apply their knowledge about Florida’s freshwater ecosystems. Empowered with their own knowledge (or from information learned in Session 1 & 2), individual students (or teams) debate and/or advocate their right to exist as a "critter" in a fictitious freshwater habitat while six of their peers are given the responsibility to make decisions and vote for their preferred management plan, as members of a local advisory panel.

Watch on YouTube
Objectives
- Describe the importance of native plants and animals inhabiting a Florida ecosystem
- Identify a social and/or economic concern related to a Florida ecosystem
- Explain how political, economic or social concerns may affect environmental community decisions
- Identify what we can do to be responsible environmental citizens
Essential Materials
- Citizen Role Cards
  - Single | 4 Per Page
- Organism Role Cards
  - Single | 3 Per Page
- Organism Icons to be used in habitat scene
  - Single | 6 Per Page
- Scorecard Set
- Data Score Sheet
- Citizen Role and Organism Role Analysis Worksheets
- Freshwater Habitat Scene: Color PDF | B/W PDF
Supplemental Materials
- Wheel of Focus | Individual Wedges (PDF)
- Management Songs
  - Song 1
  - Song 2
  - Song 3
  - Song 4
  - Song 5
- Blank Organism Card
- Organism Role Card Deck

High School Level

Lessons & Activities

What Makes a Quality Lake? Video and Activities

Session 1: Silent Invaders of Florida’s Freshwater Ecosystems
Introduction

This session begins with a humorous 25-minute video (Silent Invaders) about basic classification concepts related to Florida plant life (aquatic vs. terrestrial plants; emersed, submersed, floating, and floating-leaved; native, non-native and invasive). Students become familiar with these terms along with impacts that some non-native invasive plant species are having on our freshwater habitats, natural areas, and neighborhoods. Seven Science Big Ideas are covered (see textbox). Guiding Questions, keyword vocabulary and definitions, and reading activities are provided along with positive actions we can take to help prevent the spread of invasive plant species.
- Teacher Guide: Lakeville Session 1
Objectives
- Identify differences between aquatic and terrestrial plants
- Define the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants
- Identify the ecological and economic impacts of invasive species
- Identify positive actions that can be taken to minimize impacts
Lessons & Activities

View On YouTube
National Version of Silent Invaders on YouTube
- Silent Invaders Video
- Reading Activities and Answer Keys
- Understanding Invasive Aquatic Plants: Activity Book | Answer Key

Session 2: Components of an Ecosystem
Introduction

Students are introduced to various components of a Florida freshwater ecosystem/food web (e.g., plants, animals AND humans). Through role-playing activities, everyone is given an opportunity to personally identify with at least six inhabitants of the ecosystem (3 critters and 3 citizens) and contemplate their complex relationships. Classification concepts are further reinforced when students are asked to classify themselves within the habitat (e.g., aquatic, terrestrial, native, non-native, invasive) and identify positive and negative attributes
- Teacher Guide, Lakeville Session 2
- Keyword Chart and Definitions
Objectives
- Identify different components of a Florida ecosystem
- Identify and express different points-of-view of various stake-holders living in an ecosystem
- Identify at least three native, non-native or invasive plants that live in Florida ecosystems
- Describe one conflict that may be found among inhabitants of a Florida ecosystems
Materials
- Citizen Roles
- Organism Roles
  - All Cards – 1 per page | All Cards – 3 per page
  - Organism Analysis Worksheet

Session 3: Lakeville ~ The Game
Introduction

This game show-style activity provides students an opportunity to analyze and apply their knowledge about Florida’s freshwater ecosystems. Empowered with their own knowledge (or from information learned in Session 1 & 2), individual students (or teams) debate and/or advocate their right to exist as a "critter" in a fictitious freshwater habitat while six of their peers are given the responsibility to make decisions and vote for their preferred management plan, as members of a local advisory panel.

Watch on YouTube
Objectives
- Describe the importance of native plants and animals inhabiting a Florida ecosystem
- Identify a social and/or economic concern related to a Florida ecosystem
- Explain how political, economic or social concerns may affect environmental community decisions
- Identify what we can do to be responsible environmental citizens
Essential Materials
- Citizen Role Cards
  - Single | 4 Per Page
- Organism Role Cards
  - Single | 3 Per Page
- Organism Icons to be used in habitat scene
  - Single | 6 Per Page
- Scorecard Set
- Data Score Sheet
- Citizen Role and Organism Role Analysis Worksheets
- Freshwater Habitat Scene: Color PDF | B/W PDF
Supplemental Materials
- Wheel of Focus | Individual Wedges (PDF)
- Management Songs
  - Song 1
  - Song 2
  - Song 3
  - Song 4
  - Song 5
- Blank Organism Card
- Organism Role Card Deck

Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative

Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative

Lakeville - A Natural Resource Management Activity

Overview

Science Big Ideas:

Reading/Language Arts Strands/Standards:

Social Studies Strands:

Select Level

Elementary School Level

Introduction

Objectives

Lessons & Activities

Introduction

Objectives

Materials

Introduction

Objectives

Essential Materials

Middle School Level

Introduction

Objectives

Lessons & Activities

Introduction

Objectives

Materials

Introduction

Objectives

Essential Materials

High School Level

Introduction

Objectives

Lessons & Activities

Introduction

Objectives

Materials

Introduction

Objectives

Essential Materials